Lets get a few things cleared up: Most kids do not ever become a state champ or even a state placer! Most coaches do not want to relive the glory days of when they wrestled. They want to teach wrestlers about dedication, focus, hard work and setting goals to reach greater heights. Parents see this in the practice room and appreciate the improvements in each child regardless of wins or losses!

I've been to the 6 and under state tournament the last two years. It is a nice tournament, but there are many issues. Seeding is one. Limited exposure. We had numerous coaches/wrestlers from central and western kansas not know about the tournament. Too many matches for one day if your child continues to win. High School kids can only wrestle 5 matches in one day! We want 6 and unders to wrestle back to back to back 7 to 10 times?

Currently 6 and under kids compete at the 8 and under state. It is a long shot for them to place when a 5 year old could be wrestling a 9 year old with a late birthday. We already have a second chance 6 and under tournament along side districts. In national tournaments like the Brute Nationals in KC kids wrestle their age. If you are 9 you wrestle other 9 year olds, not 10 year olds. At Tulsa Nationals they have 6 and under. Again, I'm not talking the best of the best, I'm fighting for the kid who makes it to districts and his family is ecstatic for his accomplishments. We need to keep the little kids coming back and giving them something to be excited about at the end of the year like subs, distirct and state. 6 and under is our lifeblood and it will keep this sport growing!